Morné, Jannie 50 not out and still going strong

SPRINGBOK flyhalf Morné Steyn and tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis were two unlikely candidates to reach 50 Test caps, but both will achieve that milestone against Australia at Newlands this weekend.

The pair have developed into essential members of the Bok squad, but early in their careers neither was earmarked as potential Test player, let alone veteran of 50 Tests.

Du Plessis and Steyn will become the 25th and 26th Springboks to play in 50 Tests for SA. Steyn also needs two points to move to 600 Test points for the Boks — he is currently on 598 in his 49 Tests to date.

The last Springbok to play in his 50th Test was Jannie’s brother Bismarck, against Argentina in Mendoza last month, which means they will become the first set of brothers to play in 50 Tests for SA.

Steyn, who is recognised as one of the deadliest goal-kickers in world rugby, is a product of hard work rather than talent.

He was not even a goal-kicker at under-20 and Vodacom Cup level.

“Morné’s not the most talented player but he is arguably the hardestworking player I’ve ever coached.” Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said. “In 10 years of working with him, if he missed one training session I didn’t know about it.”

Steyn admits that hard work was his recipe for being able to compete with more talented players.

“There is no short-cut to success. Hard work is the only way,” Steyn said. “Even if you kick at 80% you have to work to get it at 100%.

“Heyneke was at the Bulls when I arrived in 2003 and I wasn’t the best kicker,” Steyn said.

“I didn’t kick at all, really, and Heyneke said to me that if I wanted to make it at a higher level, I needed to have a good kicking game.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work with Bulls kicking coach Vlok Cilliers and it has paid off. Hopefully I can add a few more caps.”

Steyn says two matches in his career stand out for him. The first was the second Test against the British & Irish Lions at Loftus in 2009, when he kicked a serieswinning 55m penalty in only his second Test appearance.

The other outing was later that same year in Durban when he scored all 31 points — a championship record — against the All Blacks as the Boks claimed a 31-19 victory.

Jannie, unlike younger brother Bismarck — who played two years of SA Schools rugby — did not make SA Schools or the national under-19 and 21 teams. He was seen as a solid but unspectacular player.

However, he quietly honed his technique and strength and has developed into one of the world’s leading tightheads through sheer hard work.